Human trafficking resolution and anti-Semitism amendment to be debated by 56-country assembly this week Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), the author of America’s landmark law to combat sex and labor trafficking (the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000), is at a conference of European and North American lawmakers today to advance the global fight against human trafficking and to step up efforts to combat anti-Semitism. More than 300 members of parliaments from 56 countries—including eleven members...
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Mr. Watson was born on Aug. 10, 1920 in Wildwood, to Jack and Anna Watson. He played football for Lakewood High School and was recently inducted into its football hall of fame. In 1942, just weeks after high school, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps. He was sent to Tuskegee to help form the 332nd Fighter Group and the 96th Air Service Group, where he served as a supply sergeant and support personnel. In a talk at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst two years ago, Tech Sgt. Watson said he joined ...
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Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H. Con. Res. 67, calling on the People’s Republic of China to unconditionally release Liu Xiaobo and, with his wife Liu Xia, allow them to freely meet with family and seek medical treatment overseas if necessary. Liu Xiaobo, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010, was in the midst of serving an 11 year sentence when he was diagnosed with liver cancer that had metastasized throughout his body. The resolution, introduced by Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04),...
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Mr. SMITH of New Jersey... Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my very good friend from California for his graciousness in yielding me this time and for his wonderful work as a Member of Congress on human rights and pro-life issues. I thank him for that leadership. Mr. Speaker, tonight, I rise and note to my colleagues that the news of Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo’s diagnosis of terminal liver cancer was a jarring shock to everyone who admires this champion of freedom and democracy. Tonight, the...
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At today’s hearing of the bipartisan Congressional Executive Commission on China (CECC), Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), co-Chair of the Commission, announced the introduction of a resolution urging the Administration to seek the immediate humanitarian medical parole for Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo, a celebrated human rights champion who was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer but is not being allowed to seek medical treatment at advanced medical facilities outside of China. Joining Smith i...
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Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), saddened by the passing of World War II hero George Watson of Lakewood, N.J., a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, issued the following statement: “I was dismayed to learn of the passing of George Watson. You read about Mr. Watson in history books. He faced Nazis. He faced racism in the military. He overcame. He helped make the world a better place. I remember him well and fondly, and was greatly honored when I was asked to help him get the Purple Heart a few y...
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Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), prime author of America’s landmark human trafficking law—the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-386)—said “the Trump Administration deserves high praise for the designation of China as Tier 3—the worst tier possible—for its shameful complicity in sex and labor trafficking.” “Secretary of State Rex Tillerson deserves the gratitude of victims and human rights defenders, calling out the Chinese government’s deplorable record and complicity in the cruelty o...
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Today, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chair of the House of Representatives panel on global health, received the American Heart Association’s 2017 National Public Service Award during the Association’s national advocacy summit; Smith was honored for “building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease.” Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death nationally and globally: 1 in 3 American deaths are caused by CVD. In 2013, the most recent year for which data is available, CVD killed...
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By JOSH LEDERMAN and MATTHEW LEE of the Associated Press - The Trump administration is poised to declare China among the world's worst offenders on human trafficking, U.S. officials said Monday, putting the world's most populous country in the same category as North Korea, Zimbabwe and Syria, China's downgrade is to be announced Tuesday at the State Department when Secretary of State Rex Tillerson unveils the annual Trafficking in Persons Report to Congress, said the officials, who weren't autho...
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U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) spoke at today's unveiling of the Protectors of Freedom statue unveiling at Bey Lea Park, in Toms River Township, N.J. The following are excerpts of his remarks: Thank you Jeremy Grunin and the Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation for enlisting the genius of sculptor Brian Hanlon to create six statues honoring U.S. servicemembers from several wars—men and women who endured and overcame crushing hardship to protect our freedoms. I was tasked with briefly recalling those w...
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